A Scottish engineering company has announced a £150,000 plan to open a new base in America.

Aberdeenshire-based AMC Engineering will relocate a senior member of staff to head up the opening of the office in Houston, Texas in a move which is expected to create up to ten jobs on both sides of the Atlantic.

Craig Brown, operations director, said: "The opening of our Houston office will give us a much-needed permanent presence in America and a base from which we hope to grow our global activity."

The firm has also announced it has completed manufacture of the world’s largest fully rotational torque machine, in a project worth more than £600,000.

Brown added: "We are delighted to have completed the manufacture of this important piece of equipment, and to be entering the record books in the process."

The engineering company - which was established in 1988 - supplies major oil and gas service companies across the world in the bespoke design, manufacture, installation and maintenance of market leading torque equipment.

The firm’s key markets include Africa, North and South America, Canada, Europe, the Far East, Middle East and Russia.

AMC – which also has a base in Caithness – employs more than 70 people, with 10 members of staff added this year alone in a bid to meet an ongoing increase in demand for services.